Furniture Assistance for Low-Income Families
Last Updated on January 23, 2024 by Lori Pace
Not every family can afford to buy furniture for their house. Some low-income families benefit greatly from free furniture vouchers or assistance.
Fortunately, there are many furniture donation organizations that exist to help these families. Many of these are not-for-profit organizations and NGOs.
Some of these organizations also collaborate with furniture shops to give needy people access to free or low-cost furniture, while others provide free furniture vouchers to those in need of furniture assistance.
If you’re looking for help to furnish your home or know of someone who is, then continue reading. This article will give you an idea of where to find furniture that will suit both your pocket and your needs.
You probably have some questions, so let me begin by answering a few basic ones.
What are furniture vouchers?
A furniture voucher is a coupon that you can use to get the furniture of your choice. They are available to low-income families and individuals who don’t have the money to furnish their homes.
How can low-income families get furniture assistance?
Visit an organization that offers free furniture vouchers and apply for one. The organization will then check your eligibility for a voucher. If you meet the income requirements, you will receive a voucher. There may also be other requirements that you will have to meet, depending on the organization’s eligibility criteria.
In most cases, the voucher will not cover the cost of having the furniture delivered to your house. You will have to pay for this yourself.
Who is eligible for a furniture voucher?
People with an income that falls below the average wage and who meet at least one of the following criteria are eligible for a free furniture voucher:
- Single parents
- If you have a terminally ill person living with you in the house
- Low-income individuals who have no furniture
Where can low-income families get furniture assistance?
Ask around your local area for organizations and charities that give away free furniture vouchers. Alternatively, you can search for these organizations on the internet. Simply type in the search bar: “where can I get a free furniture voucher near me?” and the results will show up on your screen.
Some churches also give away free furniture that has been lightly used to needy people. You can go to your local church and ask for assistance.
Below you will find a list of organizations that offer free furniture vouchers to low-income families and individuals. You will also be able to find low-cost furniture at most of these places or even get furniture for free.
Thrift Stores
When a thrift store receives a large donation or big furniture items that occupy a lot of space, it will give these items away at a bargain or even for free.
Thrift stores are therefore an excellent place to look for affordable furniture. You may even get lucky and acquire some for free!
Most of the organizations that we will mention next have thrift stores affiliated with them. You can visit their websites to find a thrift store near you.
Goodwill Industries
Goodwill Industries is a non-profit organization that has a network of retail thrift stores all over the country. The revenue generated through the sale of secondhand goods at these thrift stores goes towards job training programs, job placement services, and other community-based programs.
So, if you’re looking for a wide selection of goods at discounted prices (including furniture), then this is the place to go.
Simply visit one of their thrift stores or go to their website to find out more.
Crisis Assistance Ministry
Crisis Assistance Ministry is a non-profit organization that helps low-income families in Mecklenburg County meet their basic needs. One of the ways it does this is by providing these families with beds, couches, dryers, mattresses, and other essential furniture and appliances at no cost.
You can contact them by calling (704) 371-3001 or visit their website.
Heroes Warehouse
Heroes warehouse is a non-profit organization that provides free furniture to military veterans and their families.
St Vincent de Paul
St Vincent de Paul has a number of retail thrift stores that sell furniture and appliances at affordable prices across the country. It also provides a variety of other services to people and families in need.
You can find a list of their thrift stores on their website or find the closest one to you.
Ashley Furniture free bed assistance program
The Ashley Furniture Home Store has created the Hope To Dream project, which advocates that “every child should have a good night’s sleep and a bed to call their own.”
Therefore, its mission is to provide free beds to underprivileged children between the ages of three and 16. Through its efforts, it has already donated over 100,000 free beds to children and teens from low-income families.
If you are aware of a child in need, or if you have children of your own, you can use the link in the title to nominate a child for the Hope To Dream project.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is one of the largest disaster-relief organizations in North America. It offers help to anyone who has been displaced from their home as the result of a natural disaster, such as a fire or flood.
Through its long-term recovery plans, it helps with the restoration and rebuilding of communities. It also distributes financial aid and donated goods to families and individuals who are suffering from the effects of a disaster.
Salvation Army thrift stores also sell furniture, appliances, clothing, and other household goods at a very low price, so people in need can afford to buy them.
Furniture Banks
Furniture banks are registered charities, not-for-profit organizations, or social enterprises that accept gently-used furniture from people who wish to donate it.
A network of community agencies usually helps to identify needy families and individuals who can benefit from these donations.
You can find a furniture bank near you on the website link in the title.
Catholic charities
These are religious organizations administered by the Catholic Church. People will often donate second-hand furniture to a church or charity shop in the area in which they live. This furniture is then made available to families and people in need.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross helps families whose houses have been destroyed by a natural disaster. It also provides food and healthcare assistance to disaster survivors.
United Way 211
United Way 211 is a free, confidential service that offers 24/7 assistance to anyone in need. A toll-free call to 211 will put you in touch with a community resource specialist in your area. They will refer you to a local organization that will be able to assist you.
They will also be able to help you find housing and furniture assistance.
Yard sales
Yard sales are great places to pick up the furniture at little to no cost to you. You will also have the chance to see the furniture in person before you buy it, so you don’t run the risk of being scammed.
And here’s another tip: visit yard sales at the end of the day. This is usually when people are more willing to negotiate a lower price for an item or give it away for free.
Freecycle free furniture
Freecycle is an international website that encourages people to recycle their unused furniture. People in need of donations can then browse the website for free furniture and other household items.
This site is great because it not only helps people in need but also encourages people to reuse things instead of throwing them away, which is better for the environment.
Finding free and affordable furniture online
Craigslist is another website where you can find second-hand furniture for next to nothing, but this isn’t your only option when it comes to finding free and affordable furniture online.
Be careful when buying furniture online, though. Some people may be dishonest about the condition of the furniture they are selling, and you could end up with something you didn’t bargain for.
Remember, if it looks like it could be too good to be true, it usually is!
If you’re interested in buying furniture online, rather have a look at some of the reputable websites in this article. Furnishing a house can be a huge financial burden. Luckily, with the range of furniture assistance available to low-income families, it doesn’t have to be.
